Conductor Norman Law and his wife Elaine have just returned home to Yorkshire after another successful visit to Japan.

First visit

Norman was first introduced to the delights of the country during Black Dyke Mills highly acclaimed concert tour in 1990 and during that first visit he met Kenichi Nozawa who was then a young trombonist

Since then Kenichi has visited the Law family home on many occasions and always meets up with Norman and Elaine during their return visits.

It was Kenichi who first introduced Norman to the Band of the Black Colt and their Musical Director Toshikazu Nagasaka.

Summer concert

This year Norman was invited back to conduct the Black Colt Brass Band's summer concert in Hikifune Concert Hall in Tokyo.

This was his fifth appearance with the band and featured a programme that included the overture ‘Zampa’ Overture, ‘French Military March’, ‘In Perfect Peace’, ‘Donegal Bay’ played beautifully by Taro Murakawa, and ‘Jubilee Overture’.

I would like to thank all the Black Colt players for their dedication and commitment during his visit, and I am looking forward to working with them again in the futureNorman Law

Days free

During a couple of days free from the Black Colt rehearsals, Norman visited the Senzoka Music College, had lunch with Professor Takeo Yamamoto and rehearsed the college brass band.

He also conducted Kunitachi Brass Choir helping them and their Musical Director Eisuke Yamamoto, prepare for a performance of Phillip Wilby's ‘Paganini Variations’.

Thanks

The next day he travelled to Nikko City to meet up with Kenichi and rehearse the school band, aged 9 to 12.

Norman told 4BR: "I would like to thank all the Black Colt players for their dedication and commitment during his visit, and I am looking forward to working with them again in the future."